In which Jenn and I discuss all things mid-life: makeovers, necks that appear like scrotums, thinking critically when you’re becoming old and soft, the one thing we’d change in our lives if only we could, active sex lives in menopause, reclaiming “middle aged” as not a complete bummer, plus listener questions and the word Jenn can’t stop mispronouncing. Please do tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Would you ever want to have one of the thousands of Senior “influencers” on your show to talk about aging, dressing. Some are clowns but some get it it right with a certain amount of enthusiasm. Really how much longer are you ladies going to whine in place? In 10 more years you’ll think of your current age as the good ol days. :).
Having a senior influencer on is an intriguing idea, but why the need to be so contemptuous and accuse Kim and Jen of “whining”?
If you are really interested in losing weight, I highly recommend checking out Noom. Of course, everyone’s different, but I’d gained 20lbs thanks to perimenopause and thought my waist was gone and there was nothing I could do about it, but it’s been a little over two months since I started Noom and I’ve lost 13lbs on it, and do actually have a waist again, I know I sound like an ad, but I’d tried so many other things (I definitely can’t do any of those fitness classes filled with 20-somethings like Orange Theory these days) and couldn’t stick with any of them. And Noom put me in a group with other older women, so we get to chat/whine about things we relate to. It’s definitely possible to lose weight, just way more time consuming after your mid-40s.
I second the Noom rec. Three years ago, I was 51, and went on Noom for 3 months to try and drop 10-12 pounds. Between it (it’s really a very good accountability tool with a digital community) and a 2x/week 15 min. HIIT workout and LOTS of walking, I lost it. I gained a good bit of it back over COVID, but it did teach me some lasting things about what works (caloric density, a calorie budget), and what minimum things I need to do to maintain a “happy” weight.
I also have several friends who meet once or twice a week for a “garage workout” with a fantastic female trainer. 30 min, they split the cost, and the togetherness is what drives motivation and consistency. One of the things that to me is gospel for losing weight is getting out of breath. You have to do something that gets you breathless and burning for your hormones to kick in to shove your metabolism into gear.
Hi Kim! Just discovered your podcast and love it ,,,, was wondering if you have episode notes listed anywhere?
I was wondering the same thing! I can’t seem to find the show notes…but it’s very possible they’re right in front of my face and I’m just missing them completely.
Also, LOVED this episode so much. I mean, I feel that way about all of them, but today’s was just what I needed/wanted to hear.
Clearly I need this episode. My grooming is, well, let’s just say I put more effort into it when I was seven years old and had the Tinkerbell manicure set (anyone else remember that? The nail brush converted into the carrying handle?). I just can’t be bothered with makeup, or pedicures, or hair products… and then I get all broken hearted when I catch a glimpse of myself out in the world looking like a guy who runs a kayak rental stand in Boulder CO. And yet.. there are just so many other things I’d rather do with the time and money. Argh. I have kept up the skincare, but my skin is so damaged from sun & acne it’s hard to notice. Anyway, speaking of caftans, Virginia Johnson also has gorgeous, gorgeous caftans, which cost what a good cut & color plus a mani-pedi would (where I live, anyway).
“Anyway, speaking of caftans” is going to be my way out of awkward conversations from now on!
Me and my scrotal neck really enjoyed today’s podcast––unequivocally your most laugh out loud session (I refuse to use “lol”). You could always do reels of Kim having a fashion makeover––no doubt this would be fascinating and thrilling for everyone (except, no doubt, Kim). #canyouseeyourvagina
Well, I’m going to “lol” over this comment, CW, and run to listen to the new podcast. They had me at “scrotum neck.”
Well, I appreciate the “whining,” since my real life female family members are in denial about how cool they are with themselves. I recently lost weight and got my first professional hair color since COVID, but when I mentioned this to my mom and sister, my mom’s response was, “Wait until you see how nice it is when you get to the age where you stop caring how you look.” This is from my mom, who talks about her own weight and how thin or fat she is (she’s never over 110lbs) literally every week and won’t get a colonoscopy because she’s too embarrassed for her new boyfriend to pick her up and see her in that condition. And my sister said, “It’s so much cheaper to not care about how you look,” and “You care about getting older. I’ve never cared about that.” This is from my sister who posts ridiculously over-filtered, ultra smoothed out Instagram selfies every week and is obsessed with her own appearance any other day when she’s not trying to make me feel guilty. So it’s refreshing to hear women just be honest with each other and their audience.
Oh wow. Congratulations to you though – I bet you look great. And yea I’m here for the “whining” too.
Recently, a GOACA that I work with complimented me on my skin and I thanked her, when one my other (older) co-workers chimed-in, “I’m not that vain. I wish I had the time to care about what I look like!” My thoughts: BS – I’ll bet you care!
She’s probably jelly of that patented beautiful Mamavalveeta glow.
What a sweet, thing to say, Kimbersam! 😘 (I’ve secretly named her “Grumpy ____” because that’s all she ever does!)
Agree but too bad the podcast attracts so many middle school mean girls -maybe they are proud of their posse-beats me.
Listened to this for the first time in a while and I am obsessed with my aging image. I have all the lotions and potions and got my eyebrows done and it is still not the face and body I want. Which is sad but seems part of the process (aging). A PSA about acupuncture for peri and menopause. It has changed my life. I sleep, I don’t have the night sweats or rage issues. I started two years ago when I had fibroids which apparently are common for the pause also and it keeps me married, living and happier. Run to your local acupuncturist and ask about the meno and hormone points. Thanks Kim and Jen for talking about the pain and laughter of middle age.
Kim – I’m right there with you. I have no clue what to wear anymore. In my youth I was always fashionable & weighed a lot less. I, too, am trying to accept my “new” body, but it’s sure hard to dress! If you do get a makeover, please post every detail!!
This is my favorite podcast. I’m a bit out of your demographic (soon to be 70) but can identify with most everything you say. My only comment is the aging thing doesn’t get any better.
Is anyone else not seeing episodes past June 6 on Stitcher? Wondering if there’s an issue with that platform.
Jennifer, I’m having the same issue, too, but I found it on the apple podcasts app that came with my iPhone. If you have access to other podcast platforms, you can probably find it elsewhere, too!
Hi! I’m looking into this! 🙂
I’m having the same problem- I was wondering if it was me or Stitcher.
The meno pot and the non-existent waistline!!!!!!
Also I would think the highest average weight must be post mesopause.
Loved this episode – especially when you read my comment about gossip!! I Your response was awesome and made me love you both – and this podcast more. Thank you for sharing so much of yourselves with us.
I just want to say how much I appreciate these conversations. There are so few platforms for women our age and I like hearing other women discuss things I can relate to—both good and bad. Much like when I was pregnant and so many things happened to my body that were totally normal yet never talked about, the same is now happening with aging. I find it freeing to hear other women going through the same thing I am experiencing and I love that there is a community around this. My husband and teenage sons certainly don’t want to hear about it. So rock (and whine) on Kim and Jen, we appreciate you!
Kim, I was thinking how amazing it is you didn’t have to deal with this issue til you’re 58! I have been since I was about 38! I have mastered the art of hiding the stomach, it is possible. Tshirts/button ups/etc with just the right hang and dresses with just the right cut are the answer and you will develop the eye to recognize the good ones. I too was shocked when I had to start thinking about dressing for this new body. I am 42 now and I haven’t started to legit try to exercise so it’s on me, I had health probs that led me to this body so I am hesitant, but anyway just wanted to chime in that you’re not alone and you’ve actually had an incredible run of fitting into designers and sizes you like! Well done.
Here for ALL the whining! And damn – reading the micro-aggressions reported above about “not caring about how I look”—-so fascinating. I honestly feel like I’m “letting myself go” in not a good way, despite still caring on many levels about how I look. I’m too lazy and distracted to stick with all the maintenance required, much less new fangled devices and treatments. But I hope I would never dismiss someone else who is doing “the work” to look and feel better about themselves. Sheesh, why are people so mean? Life’s too short. And regarding makeovers (I’m the one who wants What Not to Wear to come back), I have a fantasy about a GOACA collective makeover experience (for those who want one) where we can all enthusiastically support each other and say how great we look in our new outfits, etc. (oops I meant Et-Cet-Ur-Rah). I have a ton of clothes (in bins now as we are in transition between homes) and still no clarity on how to pull together a good lewk , as they say. And Jenn, just enjoy your neck now, as it will almost certainly have more tricks for you in the future (speaking from experience).
Oops – did that last line sound bitchy? Didn’t mean it that way…just trying to convey that my neck seems to be doing even worse things than I thought possible 10 years ago. Sigh. Nora Ephron totally had it right.
I finally got to listen to this episode last night. Jenn Romolini, you keep saying “etc.” however you want. I think it’s adorable and kind of like your signature. Also, as the mom of a teenager, I feel you, girl. It’s tough, but I hear it gets better. Your child has an awesome mom and dad and they will grow up knowing this <3.
As for the whining, so what! We ALL do it and this show makes me feel less alone. Kim and Jenn have their bugaboos and when they are ready to do something about them whether it's a change in diet or style or exercise, they will. Or maybe they won't! Whatever it is we should support them. For the complainers, maybe it's time to find another show to listen to if their ruminating bothers you so much.
Kim, I'm wishing you the best during your procedure (if it hasn't happened yet) and a quick and easy recovery!